High-Profile Sports Injuries Spark Knee Injury Discussion

ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 4, 2013 — The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) today launched a radio show that features Stephania Bell, PT, OCS, CSCS, a well-known ESPN sports injury analyst and physical therapist, discussing prevention and recovery strategies for knee injuries. With athletes like Lindsey Vonn and Robert Griffin III making headlines, fans wonder what's happening behind the scenes to get their favorite players back in action. Bell shares ways in which physical therapists partner with the athletes in injury prevention and recovery.

Fans will also learn how Bell analyzes sports injuries to fuel her fantasy team picks. Listen to her interview on Move Forward Radio here to learn more about how an injury can jeopardize a player's career, and for her commentary on comebacks by players like the Minnesota Vikings' star running back, Adrian Peterson.

"We see knee injuries in every sport," said Bell. "The incidence is increasing as athletes get faster and stronger, and as a result, working with physical therapists to strengthen muscles and prevent injury is more essential than ever."

In a study of 1,435 NCAA Division 1 female soccer players, those who participated in a physical therapy program had a 41% lower ACL injury rate than those who did only a regular warm-up prior to practice. For female athletes, this is an important finding considering they are 4-6 times more likely than men to suffer an ACL injury, and in 70% of cases, the injury does not involve contact.

Physical therapists use evidence-based treatment techniques to help athletes prevent knee injuries, and if a player is injured, they help them recover and return to the sport. With the guidance of a physical therapist, athletes can gradually strengthen the injury site and learn to trust their bodies again. According to Bell, returning to the field can often be the hardest part.

"The mental hurdles in returning from an injury may be some of the biggest challenges athletes face," said Bell. "Players need to feel confident enough to get back to play and push through the fear, so they focus more on the sport than their injury. Physical therapists are experts who can advise athletes on when to push through and when to say when to avoid a repeat injury."

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide. Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat and find a physical therapist in your area at www.MoveForwardPT.com. Consumers are encouraged to follow us on Twitter (@MoveForwardPT) and Facebook.